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Description
Clarks Pond is a 39-acre park comprising a lake, riparian woodlands, lawns, and sports fields. The lake attracts a good variety of waterfowl all year round, and the forested patch is a good site to look for passerine migrants fall and spring. On a good morning in May, the species list—though not the numbers of individuals—can rival that of the much larger Garret Mountain just to the north. Broad-winged Hawk is regular in April and September, and Red-shouldered Hawk can be encountered at any season, but is most common in winter. Peregrine Falcon and Merlin hunt the open fields, and Osprey and Bald Eagle are often seen fishing on the pond.
Details
Access
Clarks Pond (variously with and without an apostrophe) lies between Bloomfield Middle School and the Garden State Parkway in Bloomfield New Jersey. It is easily reached from the west by walking from the intersection of Clair and Johnson (easy streetside parking) in Bloomfield or from the east by walking from the end of Hobson Street (parking lot) or Bessida Street (easy streetside parking). New Jersey Transit buses 709 and 72 stop within a few minutes' walk of the west side and the east side, respectively, of the park.
Well-marked but narrow and occasionally muddy paths take visitors along the west side of the lake and through the woods to the southern part of the park. On the east side of the lake, a broad gravel service road leads down to the dam. A paved sidewalk leads from Bessida Street to the middle school, convenient on muddy mornings.
The entire area can be birded in an hour, but May and October mornings can be very productive, with new birds arriving all morning.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Wetland , River , City/village , Park , Mud flats , Pond , Scattered trees and bushesConditions
Flat , Wet , High water possibleCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
NoGood birding season
Spring , Autumn , WinterBest time to visit
Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Paved road , Unpaved road , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , WheelchairBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
For passerines, the paved bridge over the Third River is an excellent watch point. The lake can be viewed easily from the west-side trail. Hawks are best seen from the southern end of the park, where the view of the sky is more open. It pays to walk the large playing fields in search of sparrows, larks, and other open-country migrants.